Hyderabad, April 10 : Hyderabad cops have started conducting drug tests on all rowdy sheeters in the Hyderabad Police Commissionerate limits.

The Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) decided to crackdown on persons with criminal records or rowdy sheeters.

The police have identified 1,300 rowdy sheeters across the commissionerate, sources said on Friday.

To start with, the officials conducted tests on 250 rowdy sheeters and of them 190 tested positive. Majority of them were found to be using ganja (cannabis). Those tested positive were sent to de-addiction centres.

H-NEW took the step as it believed that there is strong link between drug abuse and rising crime. Many repeat offenders are said to be addicted to drugs. This is seen as a major contributing factor to the rise in crimes.

Officials believe that drug tests will help the police identify the sources of supply to repeat offenders.

H-NEW is conducting a thorough probe to trace the sources of psychotropic substances. Officials hope to identify suppliers and distribution networks.

This drive is part of the efforts by the authorities to make Telangana drugs-free.

The Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Force, a special wing of the Telangana police, has been conducting raids at various places to curb the menace of drugs.

Police had already initiated measures to keep a close watch on the history sheeters.

Recently Hyderabad Police Commissioner, VC Sajjanar, took everyone by surprise with a midnight visit to the houses of rowdy-sheeters to check their criminal record, current lifestyle and serve them a warning against indulging in crimes.

Without a police siren or any noise, he went directly to the houses of rowdy sheeters in MD Lines, Hashim Nagar, and Defence Colonies.

The top cop woke up the rowdy sheeters and enquired about their criminal history, current lifestyle, livelihood, and social behaviour.

The Police Commissioner warned them that strict action would be taken if they resort to crimes again. They were advised to give up their criminal tendencies and come to the right path.

/IANS